West Seattle, Washington
05 Saturday
(Photo provided by West Seattle Food Bank, as Admiral Co-Op Preschool students celebrate recent donation drive)
By Lauri Hennessey
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
With just over a week to go till Christmas, the West Seattle Food Bank is finding plenty of need in the community, and supplies are dwindling. In fact, the food bank has seen a 27 percent increase in the number of households served over a year ago.
The food bank has also seen an increase in the number of times individual families need the food bank, with a 17 percent increase in the number of times households are coming to the food bank.
Still, Executive Director Fran Yeatts is hopefuly the food bank will continue to weather the storm, to a large degree because of the ongoing generosity of the West Seattle community.
We asked what they need for Christmas – read on for the answer, as the story continues:Read More
(scroll down, more photos added at 3:36 pm)
As we reported earlier today, we were awaiting word on whether police would be able to release a photo of the West Seattle vandalism suspect who’s wanted for multiple instances of marking/painting a specific three-word anti-gay slur – and now a photo’s out, along with a few more details on SPDBlotter, which says he’s charged with five counts of property destruction, and is indeed the same man arrested earlier this year: 31-year-old Ryan Joshua Cox. SPD Media Unit Officer Renee Witt also tells us a second photo will be made public shortly, “showing him walking away from one of the crime scenes.” From the SPDBlotter report:
He is believed to be homeless and may be wearing multiple layers of clothing to keep warm. He may be wearing a dark colored jacket with a red collar and carrying a red satchel.
Cox is known to suffer from mental illness. Due to the volatility of his behavior, citizens should not approach him.
Anyone with information regarding Cox’s location is urged to call either 911 or the Southwest Precinct Detectives at 206 233-2623. Those wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800 222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486” to ensure proper routing. If a tip leads to an arrest and the filing of charges, callers may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1000. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.
Cox spent almost a month in jail after his arrest last May; he was also charged then with property destruction, but the charges were eventually dropped when he was found not competent to stand trial. He was referred for a state-hospital evaluation at that time. The graffiti vandalism started reappearing about three months ago, and most recently had expanded to an even-wider area than where it had repeatedly been done before, including multiple incidents in the Admiral District. ADDED 3:36 PM: The aforementioned additional photo is actually THREE photos, and they have been released by police via SPDBlotter:
6:13 PM UPDATE: Got an e-mail report that similar tagging happened apparently within the past hour in the 5400 block of California SW. The person who spotted it has called police.
Thanks to Kendra for letting us know about this – we’ve just confirmed it with Brian Judd at High Point Community Center: They were supposed to have a Toys for Tots distribution event at the center this past Monday, but Toys for Tots has been having a regional shortage, and didn’t bring toys to distribute to the families. So now they are trying to directly collect enough toys to make holiday wishes come true for the families NEXT Monday at 2 pm. Between now and Saturday afternoon, bring unwrapped toys for any age, 3 through 18, to High Point CC (6920 34th SW; here’s a map; they’re open till 9 tonight, 10 am-9 pm tomorrow, 1-9 pm Friday, 10 am-5 pm Saturday) – they hope to have 400 by the time the families all show up again on Monday. ADDED 5:04 PM: If you have extra donation ability, here’s another request we received, from Maria at DNDA:
We provide affordable housing to low income families and are in dire need of gifts for their families. We have about 17 families that need gifts this year.We have a lot of children that will be needing toys this year and are going with out. If you can provide a toy or donate money please contact Phillippia Goldsmith at
Phillippiag@dnda.org or call at (206) 935-2999
That’s what Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen tells WSB this morning – we had asked about the status of the search for the man suspected in the ongoing “homophobic graffiti” vandalism, after getting three more reports this morning of new sightings of the same profane anti-gay slur that’s been appearing in an increasingly wide area, including businesses between The Junction and Morgan Junction. Lt. Paulsen says he was “seen in the Junction area yesterday” and adds that arresting him is a “precinct priority.” We don’t have a photo to share yet (that could change) but regarding a description, at last month’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (WSB coverage here), police said “white male, late 20s, early 30s, always looks stressed out” and an attendee said he was known to wear hoodies.
This Sunday is the last of three special Sundays as part of the West Seattle Junction Association’s Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) – with special events including mule-drawn carriage rides, as shown in our photo from Sunday before last – and we just got word from Susan Melrose of WSJA that the hours have changed: You can catch the carriage by the HH HQ booth in front of KeyBank between 11 am and 3 pm on Sunday. (The time period for Santa photos and gift wrap at the other HH HQ, in the storefront just east of Cupcake Royale, remains noon-4 pm.) The full scoop on Hometown Holidays, including the ongoing $6,500 Junction Giveaway (which has its final drawings on Sunday, so get your entries in before then) is here.
(Editor’s note: School Board member Steve Sundquist has another community meeting this morning, 10 am at Delridge Library)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“We all know the line has to be drawn somewhere, but — right across the street?”
So asked one of the 25+ people who crowded into Roxhill Elementary School‘s library Tuesday night to try to find out from Seattle School Board member Steve Sundquist why the Roxhill attendance area in the new Student Assignment Plan has one headscratcher:
When the West Seattle lines were redrawn, for the maps that were finalized with few amendments last month, the western boundary of Roxhill’s attendance area moved several blocks east, and now goes down the middle of 30th SW .. yards from where the school sits on the east side of that street (note the school icon next to the boundary line in the map section shown above).
At the trailhead at 14th and Holly, you can meet up this Friday for a walk with the Nature Consortium, which is headquartered at West Seattle’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Here’s the invite:
West Duwamish Greenbelt Guided Eco-hike
Friday, December 18th
1-2:30pmJoin us for a free public guided hike in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest remaining forest. We will explore the hidden treasures of this amazing natural wonder, and hear about the history and the future of the forest from Nancy Whitlock, Executive Director for the Nature Consortium (and forest steward). Difficulty is mild. Inexperienced hikers, seniors, and babies in backpacks are welcome. Special note to Parents of toddlers and preschoolers: please be warned that this hike can be challenging for you if you are with a preschooler or two who walk down the hills but want to be carried up ☺
Please bring your own water bottle. Granola bars provided. Dress in layers for weather. Wear appropriate footwear (some parts of the trail are muddy.) Long pants recommended.
Extreme rain cancels. Be ready for inspiration!
Meet at the trailhead at 14th Ave SW and SW Holly [map]
Call 206-923-0853 or e-mail lisa@naturec.org reserve your spot. RSVP today! www.naturec.org
News to share about some young West Seattleites on the move, in more ways than one:
First, West Seattle state-champion runner Maddie Meyers (left) was the only girl from our state in the Foot Locker National Cross-Country Championships last weekend in San Diego; she finished 23rd, with the third-highest time for a 10th grader (she attends The Northwest School). We have reported on some of Maddie’s achievements before (here and here). She qualified for nationals by finishing 7th at the West Regionals a week earlier. Also from the fleet-of-foot department, Jo Bader shares a photo and news from last weekend’s Girls On The Run event at Seward Park, with West Seattle girls participating:
Girls on the Run of Puget Sound is a non-profit organization whose mission is to use the power of running to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. GOTRPS operates an after-school prevention program for 3rd through 5th grade girls throughout Puget Sound, including two programs in West Seattle at Hiawatha and Pathfinder.
Girls from the West Seattle GOTR programs participated this past Saturday in the GOTR 5K at Seward Park. The event is the graduation 5K for our 10-week fall program participants. It is also a fundraiser for the GOTRPS organization and attracts lots of supporters. The program is run by volunteer coaches who were all on hand to cheer on our girls to the finish line. It was a chilly, but very fun day.
Congratulations to all of the girls who completed the program and their very first 5K! Their coaches are very proud of them.
Girls on the Run of Puget Sound
www.girlsrun.org
Jo says there’ll be a spring program at the same locations, and they’ll be looking for coaches: “It is really fun and very rewarding!”
Next, from Madison Middle School teacher Jeanne Merritt, a recap of the school’s Winter Concert a few nights ago:
Madison Middle School’s annual Winter Concert took place Thursday evening under the leadership of music teacher Clark Bathum.
The beautiful music performed by 170 students was inspiring.
The program began with the jazz band performing Fat Cat and featuring piano, sax and trombone soloists. Then they played a lively Cuban piece featuring a guitar soloist. Another band group played music showcasing percussionists. The program finished with a full orchestra performing four selections from the Nutcracker Suite.
The Madison orchestra is co-taught by string specialist Mike Watson, and the Latin jazz band is taught after school by local salsa musician Fred Hoadley. He also arranges all the Latin music.
Madison’s music students are accustomed to excellence. Last year they won many awards at the Music in the Parks Festival in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: First place jazz band, first place string orchestra, Esprit de Corps award (musicianship and gracious conduct), and soloist award (eighth consecutive year).
Bravo!
Thanks to Jeanne – we appreciate news from West Seattle schools (photos are great too) – editor@westseattleblog.com. Last but not least, as The Nutcracker continues at Pacific Northwest Ballet, we have the company’s list of West Seattle-area youth who are in the cast. Read on:Read More
That’s the office of Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) senior pastor Rev. David Kratz – empty because today was moving day for staff members at the church and co-housed Fauntleroy YMCA. They’re temporarily clearing out because work starts soon on the first major renovation of the 101-year-old church’s half-century-old building. The Y will stay open during the project, except for (as reported here last month) its drop-in day-care program, and the church will be able to carry on with its activities (including Christmas Eve services at 4, 7 and 11 pm). According to the church website, the work’s total cost will be around $2.7 million, with major work including electric and heating systems plus repairs to a leaky foundation; the church has been raising money for more than two years.
Among this week’s holiday highlights, with Christmas getting closer, are concerts big and small. Providence Mount St. Vincent has been hosting music groups almost nightly (schedule’s on our West Seattle Holidays page) – tonight, we stopped by to see/hear the Endolyne Children’s Choir (if you don’t recognize the song in our clip, it’s “Fum, Fum, Fum“). Endolyne also performed at the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting (here’s our package of video highlights from that night). Still to come this week: West Seattle Big Band holiday concert at Grace Church on Thursday night and Northwest Boychoir at Holy Rosary on Friday night.
Ten nights till Christmas, counting tonight, so we’re stepping up the holiday lights spotlight – the ones we’ve featured already are archived here (newest to oldest), and tonight, we have a photo from the famous Ducky Reserve on the south edge of Lowman Beach (map) – Dr. Ron Sterling is well-known for his year-round displays of toy ducks in seasonal garb, but this year the Christmas ducks are more must-see than ever – they’re best viewed by parking and walking up, so tonight you’d need an umbrella. The ducks, as you can see, already have one. And if you can’t get down for a look, here’s a Sterling-produced video with an up-close view of every ducky detail:
The main ducky display faces Beach Drive, but the side facing Lowman Beach Park is festively lit too – and there are some nice lights across Beach Drive as well.
Brian at TouchTech Systems in The Junction pointed out this work under way today in the 4500 block of California SW and wondered if it’s related to future business changes in the empty storefront that used to be part of CAPERS and is expected to become home to a Wing Dome and TBA business. However, according to city permits, it’s just “side sewer” repair work.
Another followup in the story of the man who filed a lawsuit challenging the city ban on guns at certain Parks Department facilities by taking a concealed weapon into Southwest Community Center a month ago (and alerting the city in advance, which meant a security guard was there to meet him, as seen in our 11/14 photo at left): Bob Warden sent the media the documents that he’s filed seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the city from enforcing the law. Here’s the court document; we asked Warden if he has a court date set yet – he said no. The request for an injunction says in part, “If plaintiff went to the Southwest Community Center with his pistol tomorrow, there is no reason to suspect that the rule would not be enforced” and goes on to state as part of its argument, “banning armed good guys likely makes a place less safe from bad guys …” (Our partners at the Seattle Times are covering this story too – here’s the link.)
After the holidays, it’s time for many families to start making major decisions – if they haven’t already – about school for fall 2010-2011. With that in mind, a West Seattle Preschool Fair is being organized, and they’re inviting preschools to participate – here’s the official invite:
Build visibility in the West Seattle community for your preschool program!
West Seattle Preschool Fair
February 22, 2010
5:30 – 8:30pm
Location: TBA
Featuring the Families Read Workshop by Page Ahead: Children’s Literacy Program from 6 – 7:30pmIn the Families Read Workshop, parents learn methods to develop their child’s literacy skills. This interactive workshop includes a model read-aloud and a hands-on activity. Parents receive literary resources and a free children’s book.
Schools or Childcare Agencies interested in requesting a registration form, please contact:
Tana Dorsey
206. 465.3501
mlk.vista@soundchildcare.orgRegister by Dec. 31st to reserve your table.
All fees cover the operational cost of the event and are not for profit.
Limited tables available; registration based on first come, first serve.Parents interested in attending, mark your calendar and look for more announcements to come. This event is free for the community.
Though the maps have been announced, families still have many questions about Seattle Public Schools‘ new Student Assignment Plan – focusing on “neighborhood schools” – and there are two opportunities in the next 24 hours for you to get answers from West Seattle’s school board rep Steve Sundquist. Thanks to Westwood Neighborhood Council‘s Donn DeVore for sending word that Sundquist will be at a meeting at Roxhill Elementary at 5 today (the Roxhill office says that meeting’s open to the public and it’s scheduled for the school library); and from the WSB Events calendar, he has another of his community chats tomorrow morning, 10 am, at Delridge Library.
(AirlineReporter.com video of the takeoff, link found in Seattle Weekly compilation)
ORIGINAL 10:42 AM REPORT: You probably watched the Boeing 787 Dreamliner take off for its first flight – whether online or on TV – but if you want a closer look when the test flight concludes this afternoon, it’s reported to be coming in to the airport closest to West Seattle, Boeing Field [map]. So far the landing is expected to happen at or after 3 pm. We know many WSB’ers have Boeing ties; congratulations to you all. Here’s the official Boeing “first flight” website. 11:26 AM: Here’s the flight tracking from FlightAware (thanks to @mcneight for the link via Twitter) – and here’s iPhone video with the perspective from the media sidelines as the 787 took off, shot by @flightblogger:
1:28 PM UPDATE: And now it seems the Dreamliner’s arriving at Boeing Field earlier than projected – any minute now. KING5.com is streaming. Around 1:35 pm for landing, according to various Twitter sources.
1:35 PM UPDATE: And a picture-perfect (aside from the rain) landing. Q13 FOX stream came up fastest where we’re at.
4:18 PM: A couple of landing visuals which show the excitement just before and after this afternoon’s touchdown – this is video @codyrh shared via Twitter:
The change in plans meant not everybody got to Boeing Field in time. But “westseattledood“‘s photo from “vehicle approach” shows the interest:
Another new development this morning in the saga of the stolen West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole. The other pole found along with it in Oregon last week, with information provided by the West Seattle man arrested in the case, is no longer a mystery: We’ve learned it was stolen from Renton.
In this case, as with West Seattle, some non-official sleuthing was involved. According to information shared by Alex Pietsch from the City of Renton, it started when Renton Municipal Arts Commission member Fred Lund brought up concern about the condition of a totem pole on the property of Fred Meyer at Rainier and Sunset, which had been there since 1975. After a subsequent discussion about some possibilities, Lund visited Fred Meyer – and noticed the pole was gone. At first, as a variety of parties started checking into what had happened to it, the possibility of theft didn’t even occur to anyone – they thought perhaps the Duwamish Tribe had it for restoration, since they had talked to a tribal artist about the possibility. Then last week they heard a radio version of the story about the recovered West Seattle totem pole, and the fact a mystery totem pole was found with it. They looked at the photos (same ones we ran here), and comparing them to archived clippings from the pole’s dedication, made the match. They contacted authorities and yesterday, Seattle Police met with store management to confirm. Now the city of Renton will be talking with Fred Meyer and the Duwamish about the pole’s restoration and return. We are working on more details and will add to this story as we get them – we may also have a separate story later today as we continue working on other aspects of the West Seattle pole’s story.
Yes, at long last it’s another video from the creators of one of West Seattle’s most-talked-about Christmas-lights displays this season, the synchronized-to-music Helmstetler Family show across from the Charlestown water tower. (Here’s our original report, with the first video from the show.) Jim Winder has actually published three more videos in all – they’re all linked here. And that’s just one option for your Tuesday night (and beyond) – here’s our West Seattle Holidays page with tons more, including live holiday music tonight at The Mount (and planning ahead, check out the West Seattle Big Band plan for a Thursday night holiday concert at Grace Church.) Back to tonight, a non-holiday highlight: The monthly “Alauda” belly-dance showcase at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm.
A Gatewood resident who wants to be anonymous is sharing news of a crime on her block:
A neighbor just came by our house to alert us to the break in at a neighbor’s home, on SW Rose St, between 35th & 37th Ave SW [map], around 10 am today. Apparently the burglars broke in through the back door and stole numerous valuables — inlcuding a digital camera, jar of coins and other items.
I don’t have any other details, but thought I should alert others of this incident.
By the way, though tomorrow’s the third Tuesday, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council is NOT meeting – it’ll resume regular meetings in January.
Though the King County Council appointment drama isn’t over yet, and we’re not leaving the courthouse till it is, we’re moving on to add some more news to the site while they continue meeting behind closed doors: This Thursday night, the Southwest Design Review Board takes up two projects in a meeting at Youngstown Arts Center. Last week, the design proposal for the 6:30 pm review, the new Transitional Resources building, became available at the city website, as we reported here; tonight, the packet for the 8 pm review, the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project, is available – you can download it here (20 MB PDF). This could be the final review for what Admiral Neighborhood Association leaders call “maybe the biggest development project in this neighborhood, ever,” if board members give the plan their blessing.
(the meeting is now adjourned – as-it-happened updates below)
(photo added 8:42 – all eyes on the door to one of the areas where council members strategized)
ORIGINAL 3:34 PM REPORT: We’re at the King County Council‘s chambers on the 10th floor of the County Courthouse downtown, where county councilmembers are about to move on to the agenda item that will result in their vote on a new councilmember to represent West Seattle and other areas of the 8th District, now that Dow Constantine has become County Executive. You can watch live on Cable Channel 22 or online at the county website; councilmembers have just called a recess until 3:50, at which time they will take up this agenda item. We will publish word of the decision as soon as it’s made, as well as any in-progress toplines, depending on what happens before the vote is taken. 3:53 PM UPDATE: It’s just been announced the recess will continue till 4:30 – they’re waiting for an absent councilmember to arrive. 4:35 PM: And the recess is extended to 4:45. A sizable 34th District Democrats contingent is here to show support for State Sen. Joe McDermott, who the group supports for the job – they’re handing one of these buttons to everyone who arrives to join the show of support:
5:25 PM UPDATE: They’re now out of recess. Joe McDermott‘s name has been proposed as the appointment, for starters. Councilmember Julia Patterson is saying, “This was a difficult choice.” She says that one of the things that made the difference for her is the fact that Sen. McDermott has lived in the 8th District for his whole life, and “the people of the district have leaned on (him) to represent him” over the past 9 years (in his legislative roles). She describes McDermott as a skilled consensus-builder. Now Councilmember Larry Phillips says he concurs with Patterson regarding Sen. McDermott, and appreciates everyone who came forward “to help us sort through this.” Councilmember Larry Gossett expresses appreciation for McDermott’s advocacy for racial and sexual minorities. Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer is now speaking and says he’s been very impressed by Sen. McDermott and even more impressed by all the people who have expressed support for him. But he says he will vote for the caretaker position (which would mean either Drago or Nelson), not “against” McDermott. And the vote to appoint McDermott failed – 4-4 tie (no one spoke against his appointment before the vote).
(that’s video of the first vote, the first deadlock re: appointing McDermott)
There is now a recess (with several councilmembers having gone behind closed doors). In addition to Rep. Nelson and Sen. McDermott, Councilmember Drago is now here.
5:56 PM: It’s just been announced the recess will continue till 6:15. Several other journalists are here; from the politics-watching-specialty world, Erica C. Barnett from PubliCola says the 4 Republican-leaning councilmembers (though the positions are now technically nonpartisan) want to give the job to Drago as a one-year caretaker. We talked with Drago for a few minutes after the recess started; she had just completed her last meeting on the Seattle City Council, after 16 years (she ran for mayor instead of running for re-election). The gallery’s abuzz with how a tie will be broken if the councilmembers stay deadlocked.
6:21 PM: They just announced the recess will continue till 6:45. The lone TV photographer here is packing up.
6:30 PM: Now they are out of recess, and they are nominating Jan Drago. Reagan Dunn says he is leaning toward the caretaker role and believes Drago has the experience. Councilmember Larry Phillips restates his support for Sen. McDermott. The Drago vote deadlocked again. No one proposed an amendment so they’re going to recess again. “Has anyone talked to Greg Nickels?” someone quips, stirring laughter from the otherwise somewhat nerve-wracked audience.
6:54 PM: Still in recess – here’s our video of that second vote, in which the councilmembers deadlocked on the Drago nomination:
7:13 PM: They are out of recess. Dunn is now nominating Dr. Arun Jhaveri , former Burien mayor, “one of the applicants who went through the committee process.” There is a call for another recess, to confer. Someone in the back row suggests frequent candidate Goodspaceguy.
7:22 PM UPDATE: They’re out of recess to discuss this, the third nomination motion. Councilmember von Reichbauer is asking if Rep. Zack Hudgins had ever said definitively whether he would run for the permanent job. “That opens a whole new view of the candidates,” he said. They’re taking a quick break to call him to clarify whether he’s interested in the caretaker role or not. Meantime, here’s more context on Dr. Jhaveri. Much buzz in the gallery about whether pizza should have been ordered for delivery – some of the 34th District Democrats members here to support Sen. McDermott have been here since the council meeting began at 1:30 pm (McDermott was here at 9:30 when the council Committee of the Whole first took up the motion).
7:41 PM: Councilmember Dunn came out to the Chambers and muttered loudly, “They’re going down the list.” (Here, by the way, is the original list of 11 nominees, culled to 4 by a panel of community members – Rep. Nelson, Sen. McDermott, Rep. Hudgins, Councilmember Drago, all of whom were interviewed by the council last Monday.
8:03 PM: Still in recess … 8:11 PM: Most of the council came out of the door to the right of their half-moon dais, and trooped over to go into the door at the left. … 8:26 PM: After 7 hours, Rep. Nelson just left (has to catch a ferry home). No hint of how much longer the recess will last. Meantime, Councilmember Drago has just gone into the closed-door gathering. 9:02 PM: Members are trooping back and forth between the left and right doors. Dunn just strode from left to right smiling, wagging his finger and proclaiming “I got an idea!” … 9:35 PM: Hour 7 now. Still in recess. Conserving remaining battery power so check @westseattleblog for updates till they reconvene (the iPhone’s not dead yet).
9:39 PM: Had to turn the computer right back on – now they’re reconvening. Dunn withdraws amendment for Hudgins, saying that while he was willing to be a caretaker, it might affect his legislative status. Now Pete von Reichbauer is proposing consideration (hasn’t moved this yet, just suggesting) of a cooling-off period while the council is in recess. He explains the impasse, saying there are technicalities that would keep them from bringing up McDermott or Drago again. Councilmember Larry Phillips says, “We are deadlocked at this point … we will go on to deliberate another day … I hope everybody has a good holiday.” Reagan Dunn suggested that they ask the review committee for two more names to suggest. The council does not reconvene till January 4. Bob Ferguson says he’s “optimistic” this will be resolved then. “Sometimes in government and politics there are deadlocks, and for tonight there’s a deadlock, ultimately we will reach a consensus on a deadlock.”
9:53 PM: 34th District Democrats chair Tim Nuse says, “It’s very disappointing. The district needs representation. We’ve got the right choice with Sen. McDermott … (for now) they’ve clearly put politics ahead of the interests of the public. But we stayed here all night, we’ll be working for the next two weeks, and when they reconvene, this room will be packed.”
That’s the stolen-then-recovered West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole, which we photographed a short time ago at the Parks Department facility – we agreed not to identify the location – where it’s now being kept, after a trip “home” from Oregon over the weekend. (Thanks to the tipster who gave us the heads up it had been picked up and driven back to Seattle.) Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter says it “will stay at our facility until Parks has formulated a plan for inspection, needed repairs if any, and re-installation of the totem. There may be a need to wait until the turf recovers before we allow another heavy truck at the site.” She also says a local firm that often helps with the city’s art collection has offered to help with the reinstallation, and Parks is mulling the offer; meantime, the Rotary Club of West Seattle, which donated the pole and the park to the city in 1976, has a fund going too (you can donate here). As for the mystery pole found along with this one, after the theft suspect told police where to look following his arrest last Wednesday, Potter says it’s being turned over to the SPD evidence unit. (No new information yet today from police/prosecutors regarding the case/potential charges; if you’re just catching up with this story, all the background links are in the first part of this update.) 4:50 PM NOTE: Just verified, the case is not yet in the hands of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, so no charges yet.
In a comment following another Crime Watch report from earlier this morning, “WSN Helen” reported a break-in/theft at West Seattle Nursery over the weekend:
A heads up to anyone that receives a black marble bench or a floral table and chairs patio set for Christmas or knows someone selling them – West Seattle Nursery was broken into on Saturday night and had these pieces of yard art stolen. This is stolen merchandise and not a kind gift!!
We went down to WSN to find out more; they told us the stolen bench is similar to the one shown in the photo above. The break-in happened sometime after they closed Saturday night at 8; someone got in through the back fence, and in addition to the items that were mentioned, also took “some religious statuary.” The value of the stolen items so far totals about $700, though they are still checking to see what else might be missing.
One other break-in report from over the weekend – if you are in the High Point area, you might have seen flyers about this (thanks to Marco for reporting the flyer sighting) – the e-mail is from Dave, who’s near 34th/Myrtle (map):
On Thursday night thieves smashed in our door and ransacked the house. The couch and beds were overturned, and every drawer emptied on the floor. After the mess was cleaned up, the current tally is a Toshiba laptop, red iPod Nano, 70mm Nikon FE2 camera, and a 50s era 28mm Kodak Retina camera. They also stole an Omega watch and some heirloom jewelry that has been in the family for generations and has more sentimental than financial value.
The next day, I went asking around the neighborhood to see if anyone had heard or seen anything. Some items were found at the HighPoint Community Center men’s room, and other objects were found outside.
On a Coen Brothers-esque note, also found at the assumed time of robbery were three crates of kale, collard greens and mustard greens, abandoned on the parking strip. Their connection to the crime is still unknown.
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